Global Scans · UK · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Achieving Brexit will dominate the UK's agenda up to and beyond 2020 with uncertainty rife until clear decisions are made on the form of Great Britain's future relationship with the EU and the rest of the world.

• [New] In the UK, EVs are widely expected to approach majority share of new-car sales by 2030, driven by tightening zero-emission regulations, falling battery costs, and continued expansion of public charging infrastructure. heycar
• [New] The UK could reach around 580,000 electric-car registrations in 2026, representing approximately 29% of all new-car sales. heycar
• [New] Ultra-high-power flash charging systems, capable of adding large amounts of range in just minutes, are already being deployed in parts of China and are expected to begin appearing in the UK later this year. heycar
• [New] Global EV sales are expected to exceed 20 million units in 2026 In the UK. heycar
• [New] The UK Government has confirmed plans to proceed with reforms that will give the UK one of the toughest late payment regimes in the world. Travers Smith
• [New] In northern England, regions including East Yorkshire, Hull and Tees Valley will receive enhanced support, with funding packages of £30 million, to drive industrial decarbonization and clean energy projects, reflecting their strategic importance in the UK's transition to net zero. Business Matters
• [New] Two connected clusters in South-West Wales will target energy security and materials security, including scaling offshore wind, hydrogen and critical materials processing. National Technology News
• [New] British Airways is going to allow in-flight calls to take place with Starlink Wi-Fi, an unusual - and controversial - decision for an airline. Skift
• [New] The NHS in England is to offer more than 1 million people weight-loss drugs to reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes. Bristol After Stroke
• [New] The UK is likely to be among about 50 countries represented at a major climate conference later this month in Colombia, at which governments will make a start on plans to phase out fossil fuels. The Guardian
• [New] The UK is already struggling to meet a 2030 emissions reduction target of 68% compared with 1990 levels, and is off track to achieve net zero emissions in 2050. The Guardian
• [New] Wales is already the first country in the world to have a national action plan to restore seagrass, with a goal of 250 hectares restored by 2030. The Guardian
• [New] Rolls-Royce SMR has been selected as preferred bidder by Great British Energy-Nuclear to build the UK's first SMRs at Wylfa, Ynys Mona site expected to deliver up to 1.5 GW of low-carbon generation - and by Czech utility CEZ to deploy up to 3 GW of new nuclear capacity in the Czech Republic. POWER Magazine
• [New] With demand for convenient, protein-rich options continuing to rise, the innovation team at Tesco saw the opportunity to bring a fitness-friendly twist to customers in April 2026. / UK The Drum
• [New] Transitioning to a green economy might be the key to a more stable financial future for the UK. PensionBee
• [New] Investment returns - for every £1 invested in the transition to net zero, the UK economy is expected to see between £2 and £4 in benefits. PensionBee
• [New] Australia had to confront the likelihood that SSN-AUKUS - a new class of submarine Australia plans to build with Britain - will fall behind schedule because of backlogs in the hollowed out British submarine service. The Age
• [New] The UK last year pledged to hit a 5% GDP target by 2035, and France is aiming for 3.5%. BBC News
• [New] Other measures include mandating solar panels and heat pumps in all new homes in England from 2028. Positive News
• [New] Plug-in solar panels will be available in the middle aisle of British supermarkets within months. Positive News
• [New] The Bank of England has warned it may need to raise interest rates again if inflation accelerates. CPA | The Credit Protection Association

Last updated: 07 April 2026